The BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the city’s outdoor advertising regulations with the introduction of the Advertisement Bylaws, 2024, under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act. Enforced from July 17, the rules replace outdated policies from 2006 and 2018, aiming to eliminate unauthorised hoardings, reduce visual pollution, and streamline ad revenue collection.
Key Highlights of the New Bylaws:
- Size & Density Limits: Strict area and length caps apply depending on road width. For example, roads over 60m can have a maximum 1,200 sq ft of ads per 200m stretch. Residential roads under 18m are off-limits for ads, unless marked as commercial or industrial.
- Ad Types Allowed:
- Billboards on roads 18m+
- Digital screens (LED/LCD) with a 10-second image transition
- Eco-friendly materials (cloth, biodegradable flex)
- Building wraps (excluding heritage structures)
- Digital ads must allocate 10% screen time for public messaging.
- No-Ad Zones:
- 50–100m radius near temples, heritage sites, parks
- Trees, flyovers, footpaths, lakesides
- Buildings without BBMP khata or B-register listing
- Fees & Licensing:
- Monthly fees vary from ₹25 to ₹100 per sq ft, based on road width.
- Premium areas incur 50% extra charges.
- Ad rights auctioned via e-Procurement, with a ₹5 lakh licence valid for 5 years.
- Enforcement:
- Violators face double penalties, 18% interest, and possible seizure or blacklisting.
- All existing ads must comply within six months.
The reforms promise cleaner skylines and fairer ad practices, though enforcement remains key.